However, replays suggested it was Ryan Bertrand who was in an offside position, not Gabbiadini - and the full-back was inactive and not interfering with play, raising doubts about how correct the decision was.

Less than 10 minutes later, Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring for Jose Mourinho's men with a rifled free kick from around 35 yards out.

Twitter users were quick to pour scorn on the officials' decision-making at Wembley.

That's Southampton robbed of a goal. Gabbiadini, veyr clearly, not offside. Can't see how Bertrand disturbs play there.

Jesse Lingard then put United into a 2-0 lead before half time, capping an impressive passing move with a composed finish inside the far post, before Gabbiadini pulled two back for Saints to bring the score to 2-2.

But Ibrahimovic headed home the winner with just a few minutes left on the clock in the second half, ending Southampton's cup dreams - and making the offside goal early on all the more bitter.